Dirt On My Diamonds, Vol. 1 chronicles Kenny Wayne Shepherd’s journey of musical evolution, touching on stories of loss, redemption, and memorable melodies, all crafted by an elite team of songwriters. As Shepherd himself describes it, “Every record I make is a moment in time. And this is a really special moment.”

Since the release of his debut album, 1995’s Ledbetter Heights, this multi-platinum bandleader still sounds like the future of the blues. Approach Dirt On My Diamonds, Volume 1 expecting autopilot twelve-bars and you’ll instead be thrown a volley of curveballs, from the modern urban edge of Sweet & Low or the socio-political single Best of Times to the speaker-tearing production from Shepherd and producer Marshall Altman.

“Working with Marshall, it’s like any productive relationship,” considers the guitarist. “We put our strengths together and push each other.”

Throughout, as the album title suggests, the grit and emotional honesty of these new songs is prized above guitar pyrotechnics (even for one of the modern scene’s most valuable players). Of the Dirt On My Diamonds guiding philosophy, “Life has imperfections, and I actually prefer it that way. The imperfections are what make it interesting.”

With material this strong, no polish was needed. As on any KWS album, songs are the currency, and the seven originals from Dirt On My Diamonds, Volume 1 demand to be heard, lifting listeners above their circumstances at a time when life often feels bleak and bone-raw.

“I didn’t want this record to be dark or dreary,” considers Shepherd. “There’s not a lot of incredibly heart-wrenching or difficult subject matter. My goal is always to make music that makes people feel good, regardless of what it’s about.”

1. Dirt On My Diamonds
2. Sweet & Low
3. Best Of Times
4. You Can’t Love Me
5. Man On A Mission
6. Saturday Night’s Alright For Fighting
7. Bad Intentions
8. Ease On My Mind

Birthed from the legendary FAME Studios in Muscle Shoals, Alabama, this expertly immersive new recording opens on the foot to the floor, deep soul blues of the titular Dirt On My Diamonds and the funky bass/lead guitar rock grooves that bring Sweet & Low alive, and then we are brought forth the foot-tapping blues rock of Best Of Times and the almost Caribbean-hued quality behind You Can’t Love Me.

Up next is the free flowing, horn-hued pop blues of Man On A Mission, which is itself backed by a scintillatingly rambunctious cover of Elton John’s Saturday Night’s Alright For Fighting, the album rounding out on the guitar-fed rocker Bad Intentions, coming to a close on the artistic slow blues roll Ease On My Mind.

Kenny Wayne Shepherd - Tour Dates 2024:
Sunday, January 28th - Legendary Rhythm & Blues Cruise 2024 - Fort Lauderdale, FL^
Tuesday, February 6th - Hard Rock Live - Orlando, FL
Wednesday, February 7th - Barbara Mann Performing Hall - Ft. Myers, FL
Thursday, February 8th - Van Wezel PAC - Sarasota, FL
Friday, February 9th - Sunrise Theatre - Ft. Pierce, FL
Wednesday, February 14th - UT Cowan Center - Tyler, TX
Thursday, February 15th - River Spirit/Margaritaville - Tulsa, OK
Friday, February 16th - Majestic Theater - Dallas, TX
Saturday, February 17th - ACL Moody Theater - Austin, TX*
Thursday, February 22nd - Mark C Smith Concert Hall - Huntsville, AL
Saturday, February 24th - Ryman Auditorium - Nashville, TN
Thursday, March 7th - Mountain Arts Center - Prestonburg, KY
Friday, March 8th - Four Winds Casino - New Buffalo, MI
Saturday, March 9th - Hollywood Casino - Lawrenceburg, IN
Sunday, March 10th - Palace Theatre - Greensburg, PA
Tuesday, March 12th - Kirby Center - Wilkes Barre, PA
Wednesday, March 13th - Santander PAC - Reading, PA
Friday, March 15th - Beacon Theatre - New York, NY*
Saturday, March 16th - Hollywood Casino - Charles Town, WV
Sunday, March 17th - Chubb Theatre - Concord, NH
Tuesday, March 19th - State Theatre - Portland, ME
Wednesday, March 20th - Paramount Theatre - Rutland, VT
Thursday, March 21st - Warner Theatre - Erie, PA
Saturday, March 23rs – Massey Hall – Toronto, ON*

* with Samantha Fish
^ previously announced

Kenny Wayne Shepherd - Sweet & Low (Official Music Video)

Official Website